Middletown woman targeted for London Olympics as leader of U.S. Archery team

Cindy Bevilacqua, left, is headed to London to serve as team leader for the U.S. archery squad at the Olympics.

MIDDLETOWN -- Cindy Bevilacqua of Middletown is going to London for the experience of a lifetime.

A former U.S. Archery team member and seasoned competitor-turned coach, Bevilacqua was nominated by USA Archery's Board of Directors and approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee to be the team leader for the United States' six-member archery team that will compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Officially known as Olympiad XXX, the games in various locations in and around London will run from July 27 through Aug. 12, with the archery events concluding Aug. 3.

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As team leader, Bevilacqua will work with national head coach KiSik Lee of California and Level 5-NTS (National Training System) coach Mel Nichols of Arizona.

"It's such an honor to be part of an Olympics team. It's a dream come true," said Bevilacqua, a Level 4-NTS coach whose roots in archery run deep.

Bevilacqua coaches at Middletown Archery Club on Barren Road. Formerly Del's Archery, it's been owned and operated by her family for 50 years. She noted she was just 5 years old when she picked up her first bow and arrow.

"Archery has been a lifelong passion for me," she said. "I've been blessed in that this sport has enabled me to support teams at World Cups, Grand Prix events, World Championships, Pan American Games and now the Olympic Games."

In that capacity, she's traveled to China, Mexico, Italy and Turkey, as well as to various states in the U.S. --- and now to London for the second time. She was there last year for the Olympic archery test event at Lord's Cricket Club. That's where the competition that calls for pinpoint accuracy and nerves of steel will take place later this month. Archery is one of 26 Olympic competitions that will be held in 28 locations.

A 1980 Penncrest High graduate, Bevilacqua graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., in 1984, where she won All-America distinction in archery. She has a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in coaching and athletic training. She also is a member of the Hall of Fame at both Penncrest and James Madison.

She said that in deciding in 1984 to be an archery coach, she found a true passion for leading and guiding teams, along with competing on them. Her students have won numerous national titles, and she herself was voted USA Archery's Development Coach of the Year in 1996. A member of the USA Archery Board of Directors, she also works closely with the Junior Olympic Archery Development Program, which she's been elected to represent on the board.

"We are excited to have such a high caliber of coaching and team support nominated for London," said Denise Parker, USA Archery CEO, of the delegation. "All of these individuals have demonstrated their passion for supporting the athletes as they pursue excellence, and we're pleased to have them join our team."

Following the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 2012 Paralympic Games will run from Aug. 29 through Sept. 7 in London.

All sporting events of the 2012 Summer Olympics, including archery, will be live-streamed in real time on www.nbcolympics.com, which will offer viewers HD-quality replays and DVR capabilities. USA Archery also will provide full coverage via Twitter, Facebook and at www.usarchery.org.